ChristianaCare to conclude Cough & Cold Line as flu season ends

As the region sees a steady decline in respiratory illness cases following the most severe flu season since 2009, ChristianaCare will officially end its temporary Cough & Cold Line on April 11.

The service, which was introduced in February 2025 to help manage a surge in patients seeking care for flu-like symptoms, played a key role in offering timely support to the community. Designed to assist individuals experiencing coughs, colds, and other respiratory concerns, the Cough & Cold Line provided guidance and helped connect patients to appropriate care options.

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Throughout its seven-week run, the line handled more than 1,200 calls — a clear sign of the community’s urgent need for accessible healthcare resources during a particularly difficult flu season.

“This flu season was the worst in over a decade and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who used the Cough & Cold Line to help find the most appropriate care for their respiratory symptoms,” said Sarah Schenck, M.D., FACP, executive director of the ChristianaCare Center for Virtual Health.

Due to its effectiveness, ChristianaCare plans to implement similar services in the future to continue meeting community needs. Many callers were able to manage their symptoms at home or access virtual primary or urgent care, reducing unnecessary visits to crowded emergency departments.

“This service line played a vital role in supporting our patients and our caregivers when it was most crucial and we are proud of the impact made.”